Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Kicking the POT(S)

Four years into my bout with Hyperadrenergic Postural Othostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (Hyperadrenergic POTS), I still find myself on some days trying to cope. I have somewhat made peace with the idea that there isn't a cure, but struggle with the idea of just treating the symptoms since I am a "root cause" kind of person (type A, I know). My symptoms are all over the place. I have a better chance of chasing down my little Morkie who loves to steal my glasses than I do keeping all of my symptoms under control. One or another of them always interjects itself into my day or night.

The hardest part that I am sure anyone who lives with a chronic illness will say is adjusting to the "new" you. Learning the boundaries or limitations, telling people where you are going and when you will return, asking for help; the new me. The expression commonly said by our parents or grandparents about getting too old to do the things they once did becomes reality a little too early in life for those with chronic illness. To know the struggles that I currently have and have had for four years is one thing, but to realize that I haven't reached "old" yet makes looking forward a little dim.

One thing is for certain, however. We can adapt to our disabilities and keep doing the things we always enjoyed using those adaptations, or we can sit on the couch. I chose a long time ago to adapt. Now, I just need to get my body to play along.

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About Me

Married. Imprisoned. Deaf from all the nagging; although, optimistic about the future: I will die and all of the above will go away. Ok, I am just kidding. My wife is awesome and is my best friend, but I do have to be careful about talking about the start of football season. You see, she is a teacher and my counting down the days until football season begins triggers something that makes her think about school starting.
She loves her summer vacation as much as I love football season, so I have to be sensitive towards her, while being excited for me :) Otherwise, she will just get pissed at me for reminding her of when school starts.
2015..revision: You know, I wrote the above paragraph years ago in fun and having fun with my wife. However, I realized years ago that God had a plan when he put us together. Only he would know that I would develop a condition called Hyperadrenergic POTS Dysautonomia, and need someone to be my teammate and care-provider as we traveled this journey together.